The Swisse Color Run - Newcastle

Shonavee is a freelance writer, online editor/copywriter and life-long Novocastrian. Visit her blog at www.desriousforpointlessbanter.wordpress.com/ and leave a comment or post a topic for discussion.

Event: 11/05/2014

There is only one day of the year when we get the chance to have coloured powder thrown in our faces and be happy about it. That's right! The Swisse Color Run is back again in Newcastle, Sunday, May 11, 2014. The happiest 5kms on earth will be returning to the Newcastle Jockey Club in just a few short months AND there are still tickets available! However, they won't be available for long, so if you were looking to score some good Karma this year and wanted to do something ridiculously fun at the same time, grab yourself – or even four or more of you – a ticket, a charity, and be part of this unforgettable day.

The run is part of a global event that began in the USA back in January, 2012. Since then it has grown, gearing up to host 15,000 Color Runners this year (3,000 more than in 2013), and is now a global phenomenon, staged in 36 countries and more than 200 cities worldwide. The event kicked off its Australian tour in November 2012 as The Swisse Color Run and has taken Australia by storm ever since with 155,000 proud Australian Color Runners to date.

The five kilometre fun run with a very colorful twist is partly inspired by the Hindu Holi festival, with its tradition of welcoming Spring by throwing natural coloured powders. Runners begin all dressed in white, and finish looking like a rainbow after coloured powder is showered upon them during the 5km course and beyond, turning pristine whites into multi-coloured masterpieces all in the name of fun! And just in case anyone is worried, the powder is made from 100% natural and safe food-grade corn starch, so don't stress if your smile ends up a little coloured as well.
.The run caters for participants of all ages and fitness levels. 2014's 'Color Runners' will travel the 5km course around the Newcastle Jockey Club, before gathering together back in the grounds of the Club for a colourful extravaganza of epic proportions known as the 'Finish Festival'. This family-friendly party atmosphere features great music from the stage and celebrations culminate in runners throwing coloured powder packets en masse in every colour of the rainbow – truly a sight to behold. Importantly, there is also an area for runners to get cleaned up in the 'Cleaning Zone' before leaving the course.

The Color Run Australia National Manager Luke Hannan commented, "Newcastle embraced us with such open arms last year and we've been working hard on plans to come back and make it an even bigger, better and more colourful day out when we come back in May. We can't wait to see some old and new faces alike in the crowd, ready to have a great day

The Swisse Color Run is not a charity event, however runners are encouraged to 'run for a cause' and raise funds through their participation via the Go Fundraise platform for an appointed charity. It is not mandatory to run for a charity, but it is nice and I would thoroughly encourage runners to take advantage of the opportunity to raise a little money for a good cause they believe in. Also, an announcement is still to be made regarding the official charity partner for May's Newcastle event (so even if you don't run, some money will still go to a local Newcastle charity).

The first runners will begin at 9am on Sunday, May 11, and then runners will continue in a staggered fashion with waves of around 800 participants released across the start line approximately every three to five minutes. Color Runners can enter The Swisse Color Run on their own or if you can gather a group of four or more, you can register as a team! And yes, you get to make a team name for yourselves.

The Swisse Color Run Entry Type and Fee:

Individual* $60.50; Group rate (4 or more) - Cost per person* $55.50; Kids under 5 Free.*Ticket price includes train travel to and from the event.

Tickets will run out soon, so if you are keen to get down and dirty in all the colours of the rainbow (and maybe even spot the elusive Runicorn… yes, a Runicorn), then you need to act fast. Grab a friend, three friends, or, just bring out the whole family, bub and all – there are no age limits, no person limits, no colour limits, and absolutely no fun limits.

(Photo provided by Nancy Panter, Head Publicist with The Color Run Australia).

Cost:Individual tickets - $60.50 per person; Groups of 4 people Each group team member must register individually to secure their spot before registrations fill up - $55.50 per person; Kids 5yo and under - FREE!

Color Run is the only event where you get to party once you cross the finish line. The event is immensely popular all over the world and although runners do not receive any prizes, they are showered with colour run powder, which is made of corn starch.